Mombasa
December 29
Dear folks,
Well, today I got your letter which you wrote on December 18 and I was certainly glad to hear from you. It seems like ages and ages ago since I left home and so many things have come along my pathway that it seems as if I’ve been in another world. Which I guess is true to a certain extent. Today the big exodus took place on this boat and now we are only a few on board waiting until January 4 to continue our journey. Talk about the bottom falling out of things, that is what it seems like around here.
We pulled into port last evening but they didn’t go off until this morning. There will be more passengers getting on, though, before we sail again. Several of our Christian friends have left us. One an American couple whom I liked so very much. Then I’ve had a lovely friendship with the Salvation Army captain from Canada and he got off, too, so you see why I feel as I do. I can’t see why our pathways should have crossed, as it must end so futile but nevertheless it was nice while it lasted.
This p.m. I went to the shops in this place and bought a bathing suit, a real lovely one, and then a bunch of us girls went swimming this p.m. I figure that that is about all we can do in these hot ports. All of the girls had suits but me. One just can’t sit around and twiddle his thumbs in their place. There are special tours one can take but they are rather expensive.
I can hardly realize that you are having such cold weather. I hope that you don’t get snowed in or have one of those destructive blizzards. I hear that they are having it very cold in England, too.
Well, that was certainly something that went through your chickens, wasn’t it? I’m glad that not many died. Well, that was a pity that the desk idea never came to you before. If your memory serves you correctly, I did ask about a table that might be in that school which I could use. Remember? I’m glad that you have it now. It is just ideal for pa and all his cherished possessions along the paper line. I also got a letter from Lois, Ila, Inga! Don, Douglas. Perhaps there will be more later. It has been so lovely to get them. Wyn got several, too, but they made her terribly homesick.
Well, anyway as I’ve raved on before this has been a wonderful trip thus far. Marvelous places have we seen and I’ll not soon forget them. Here at Mombasa it is hot but beautiful. Lovely palm trees, flowering trees of various sorts, nice fruit on sale, quite nice shops and places to swim, etc. Those people, whom I sent Dr. DeKann’s books to after I got home last year, live only a night’s train trip from here. I wish that I could drop in to visit with them but guess that I’ll not do so, as I don’t know them too well.
I shall be anxious to hear about Christmas at home. We had quite a nice one as I believe that I wrote about. Everything which you gave me was so nice. I’ve put it all away in the suitcases except the jewelry and perfume. I am very sleepy, I’ve been up late these last nights and I must get some sleep so I believe that I’ll go to bed now, finish this tomorrow and then post it.
December 30
Boy is it hot! Can you feature it? Today I went up to the shops and looked around. They have all of the tropical fruits here. I got a big pineapple for one shilling = 14 ¢ also for that amount I got 20 bananas. I also got myself a nice natural colored hat today for town wear and the like. I shall have to watch myself or I shall spend too much money in this place, but then in some of the other places that I’ve been I spent practically nothing.
This ship is a busy place, loading and unloading, knocking off paint and repainting, cleaning this and that. Can’t you hear all of the hub-bub? Hundreds of natives doing it all. These natives look and act like ours. Later this p.m. we are going bathing again but we are somewhat afraid of sharks. They are in the waters here quite badly, I guess.
I did some washing this morning. Do I ever hate ironing, though. It is like an oven in that little box of an ironing room, but I guess I’ll survive the job, once I get at it. One needs to change so much in these hot places. I wish that I had a couple of seersucker skirts or dresses.
Well, I can hardly realize that part of this world is at war and that the boys are being drafted. I’ll be interested to hear concerning Don. How about Harold? Greetings to everyone who doesn’t hear from me. I’m trying to write to a few while here. By the way, what was the reaction to that letter that I wrote? So they voted against organizing a church in Charles City. Well, perhaps that is of the Lord. I’m sorry for Seutons.
Love,
Eunice
